Headed to Lackland!!!!

nurseman-in-blue · Jan 26, 2008

Congrats! I found out today that i'll be headed there in May 06, 2008 :) I'm excited. Need to find a place to live I guess. The choice is to be on or off base.... hmmmm

Are you going to go through the NTP (Nurse Transition Program) there or are you going straight in as an experienced nurse? Maybe we'll run into each other, I am headed there in July.

PRicanRN · Jan 26, 2008

was it hard to get into the ER rather than work on a general med/surg type of floor? Are you living on or off base? Did you go through the NTP? If so where, did you go and what was it like? (Hours/day, Shifts/week, time away from base, what did you do, etc.) I'd love to here more about any experiences that you have had there, etc.

I had prior ER nursing experience before coming in thats how I was able to get to the ER. If you don't have any ER experience or ICU you have to go through a 1yr fellowship or something like that but its very intense and you learn a lot. If you are starting as a new nurse you will work on med/surg. NTP from my friends who have gone through it say its almost like nursing school again. You have lots of classes before you even start working on the floor. Its about 4 months I think, but don't quote me on that. Like stated earlier living on base will be hard to do as there is a big waiting list. Off base is pretty good, I live off base. Houses are pretty decently priced around here. You probably don't know yet but live outside of the 410 loop around san antonio if you can, you will know what Im talking about when you get here. Traffic is pretty bad around rush hour. There is lots of stuff to do around san antonio also, so thats good. If you want to know more let me know.

SarahElizabeth · Jan 29, 2008

:an!: First of all I have to say that I am SO glad that I found this site. I have already killed a couple of hours on topics that interest me and seeing what others say/think.
I am currently a BSN student and took my LPN boards last fall. I currently work both as an agency nurse as well as a position in home health/hospice. I love my job and I love nursing.
I am an Air Force ROTC Cadet scheduled to Commission as a 2nd Lieut in the U.S. Air Force this July after I pass the NCLEX. I received word earlier this week that I will be headed to Lackland, Air Force Base (AFB) in San Antonio in July for my Nurse Transition Program (NTP) and I will then be stationed there for the next 3-4 yrs.
I would love to hear from any Air Force (or other military) nurses, especially those that are currently or have previously been stationed at Lackland, AFB. :usarfrc:
:mnnnrsngrk:

I to am going to be in the nurse transition program in Lackland in July. Are yuo excited. I wonder how many of us are in the program.

JazzyT · Jan 29, 2008

Hey guys, I am headed there too! I was told this was my active duty station....I still don't know where I am going to NTP. Hoping to have it all in one place, but know that doesn't always happen! I am from a very small country town...you blink and you are through it, so this is going to be a major transition for me!

nurse1004 · Jan 29, 2008

Can anyone tell me about the deployment tempo for nurses at lackland currently? More specifically can I expect to deploy being a new nurse in the AF and being stationed at Lackland? I heard they were providing most of the USAFs nurses for overseas deployments right now. Is this true? Also, is their anyway to avoid deployments as my husband is a pilot in the AF as well. Thank you so much!

allnurses Guide · Jan 29, 2008

Can anyone tell me about the deployment tempo for nurses at lackland currently? More specifically can I expect to deploy being a new nurse in the AF and being stationed at Lackland? I heard they were providing most of the USAFs nurses for overseas deployments right now. Is this true? Also, is their anyway to avoid deployments as my husband is a pilot in the AF as well. Thank you so much!

In general if you coming as a new nurse you probably won't be deployed for at least 6 months-1yr, but it all depends on several factors (speciality/how many they are deploying that cycle etc).

Expect to be deployed. As far as deployments, if you are trying not to deploy then you shouldn't join the AF/military. Not to be mean, but that last sentence you typed is the best way to alienate yourself real quick among other AF nurses. Everybody takes their turn in the bucket, and you probably won't go everytime. There is always the possiblity you could be the odd ball out like me and be in the bucket several times, but never deploy (although I have done a couple of manning assists).

Best of Luck!

PRicanRN · Jan 29, 2008

Can anyone tell me about the deployment tempo for nurses at lackland currently? More specifically can I expect to deploy being a new nurse in the AF and being stationed at Lackland? I heard they were providing most of the USAFs nurses for overseas deployments right now. Is this true? Also, is their anyway to avoid deployments as my husband is a pilot in the AF as well. Thank you so much!

depends on where you work. For example the ER at WHMC 100% staffs the Balad ER, much of WHMC staffs balad period. ICU is deploying like crazy at WHMC right now. My friend who is an ICU nurse, just got hardtasked to deploy in the next cycle.( we both completed COT less than 6mnths ago.) If you are a new nurse I don't think it will be that quick though.

SarahElizabeth · Feb 3, 2008

How long are the deployment cycles? How do they figure out what area they will place you such as med/surg, icu, er?

cynt77 · Mar 1, 2008

:an!: First of all I have to say that I am SO glad that I found this site. I have already killed a couple of hours on topics that interest me and seeing what others say/think.
I am currently a BSN student and took my LPN boards last fall. I currently work both as an agency nurse as well as a position in home health/hospice. I love my job and I love nursing.
I am an Air Force ROTC Cadet scheduled to Commission as a 2nd Lieut in the U.S. Air Force this July after I pass the NCLEX. I received word earlier this week that I will be headed to Lackland, Air Force Base (AFB) in San Antonio in July for my Nurse Transition Program (NTP) and I will then be stationed there for the next 3-4 yrs.
I would love to hear from any Air Force (or other military) nurses, especially those that are currently or have previously been stationed at Lackland, AFB. :usarfrc:
:mnnnrsngrk:

Hey I might see you there..I am headed to COT in July (im in Korea right now) and I should be at Lackland in August ..Yeah :yeah: It was my first choice and I am glad that I got it. I heard it was a lot of learning opportunities. But what I would like to know if anyone knows is how are the work schedules there for Med Surg..is it 3 on 3 off or what..Thanks

cynt77 · Mar 5, 2008

Im stationed here at lackland in the ER. I went through COT in august. Definitely lots of education opportunities here, always some class or training that is being offered.

Hi I hope you dont mind me asking but do you know what types of shifts the med-surg floor works?

nmuss · May 7, 2008

I'm headed to Lackland for NTP in July as well. Have any idea what to expect? I grew up in San Antonio and am excited to return for a little while. Anxious about actual NTP, though. My follow-on base is Nellis AFB (Las Vegas).

nurseman-in-blue · May 7, 2008

Here is what I understand so far from one of the captains in charge there. The first week (I am scheduled to arrive July 2) is basically a 40 hr week (0800-1700) in class instruction. From there we are assigned to a preceptor and work with them (on their schedule) for 4 weeks. The following 6 weeks we continue to work the same schedule as our preceptor but we work on our own. I believe after the 11 week training we are then assigned to where we will be working for the next 1 1/2 to 2 yrs. That is what I understand at this point. Do you also report on the same day? If so we will be in the same class. I think there are like 14 people starting that day. It sounds like it will be a good experience.